I discuss the importance of interoperable applications and the
role of standards--specifically OPC UA and CCOM, an asset
information standard from MIMOSA. I also throw in a description of
students I met who compete in FIRST Robotics and a tip for
cultivating innovation.

Recent revelations from WikiLeaks with details about
how security agencies can hack into encrypted devices and files and
then how all that can wind up on the Web should remind us to
strengthen our security technology and procedures.